Woman accused of killing mother, grandmother to face charges

(AP) - Prosecutors say a grand jury has indicted a woman charged in the beating deaths of her mother and grandmother last summer in their New Jersey beach home.

The Atlantic County prosecutor's office said Wednesday that 42-year-old Heather Barbera of Ventnor was indicted on first-degree murder, robbery and weapon charges.

Barbera was taken into custody in New York City on July 11, a few days after another relative found the bodies of her mother, 67-year-old Michelle Gordon, and her 87-year-old grandmother Elaine Rosen in Ventnor.

Authorities allege that the defendant, who had been living in the home, used a nightstick to beat the victims, who died of blunt force trauma.

Barbera is being held in the Atlantic County jail and is scheduled to appear for a post-indictment arraignment on Friday.

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